Learning the ropes

BTV: John Worsfold Media Conference - January 8, 2016John Worsfold speaks to the media at the first open training session of 2016.

The Bombers are half way through their first pre-season under John Worsfold.

Essendon Coach John Worsfold doesn’t expect his players to take long to adjust to his game plan.

The premiership coach is about half way through his first pre-season at the Bombers.

Since his appointment, Worsfold has spoken about aiming to kick more goals but also becoming one of the best defensive sides in the competition.

“There will be a change, whether it’s noticeable or not is always a tough thing to say and how quickly the players as a team make it work is a bit of an unknown as well,” Worsfold said.

“There’s obviously a lot of learning to happen in the first part of the year, but I don’t think it’ll take too long, there’s nothing too drastic that’s going to confuse the players too much around how to play the game.”

The first test for Worsfold’s Bombers will come in the NAB Challenge at the end of next month.

Worsfold said his priority will be ensuring each individual player is ready for the home and away season.

“My philosophy has always been to use the NAB series to prepare the players for the season coming up,” he said.

“Some players only need to have one game in the NAB Challenge series and that’s their best preparation.

“Others need two and some need two and a half games.

“So I’ll be assessing all the players on that and trying to map their program out to have them ready to play well in round one, but then be physically prepared for the whole season.”